Key Witness Status for Schmid in Casag Proceedings

An appropriate procedure report has been approved by the public prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Justice, the WKStA announced on Thursday. Schmid must continue to contribute to the clarification and pay a fine of 60,000 euros as well as partial compensation of 200,000 euros.

Partial Compensation and Fine for Schmid

If Schmid fulfills these obligations, the criminal proceedings against him will be discontinued. Schmid was also Secretary General in the Ministry of Finance and had made a comprehensive confession to the WKStA in several interrogations. In the process, prominent ÖVP representatives - including former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz - were heavily implicated in several cases.

The so-called Casag proceedings summarize those investigative strands that have resulted from the Ibiza video. These include investigations into various appointments at Casinos Austria (Casag) and ÖBAG, as well as the advertising scandal or the so-called "Beinschab tool". It is alleged that surveys paid for with taxpayers' money from ÖVP-led ministries were placed in the media, from which Kurz and the ÖVP are said to have benefited.

Prerequisite for Whistleblower Status

The prerequisite for granting whistleblower status in a procedure is that a potential whistleblower voluntarily approaches the public prosecutor's office and makes a remorseful confession about his contribution to the crime. In addition, he must "reveal new facts or evidence, the knowledge of which significantly contributes to the comprehensive clarification of crimes beyond his own contribution". These prerequisites were recently doubted by lawyers of various accused. However, there is no immediate legal remedy against the granting of the status.

The ÖVP also expressed surprise in a statement sent to the APA: Many legal experts would hold the opinion that the legal prerequisites for whistleblower status are not met. "It seems as if this decision is entering new legal territory. Since the previous statements by Thomas Schmid in connection with the intention to obtain whistleblower status are to be seen, the question of credibility will ultimately have to be answered by the courts."

Waiting for Whistleblower Status

Schmid had to wait almost two years for the granting of whistleblower status. He already made the corresponding application in December 2022. His lawyer Roland Kier expressed satisfaction in a statement: "The rule of law is therefore serious about combating corruption. Government crime is also effectively prosecuted in Austria and cooperation with law enforcement authorities is appreciated." He therefore sees the approval of whistleblower status as a "probation of the rule of law".

In addition to Schmid, opinion researcher Sabine Beinschab has also already received this status. However, there are no charges in the main points of the complex of proceedings. In a side strand, however, Kurz was convicted of perjury in the first instance - his appeal is currently still pending. In addition, some procedural strands have been discontinued.

(APA/Red)

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